Ten battery packs to keep your smartphone topped up

Adata P12500D Power Bank

With prices starting at just £12, Adata's Power Bank range is one of the most affordable options for topping up your mobile phone and other devices. They don't skimp on either features or battery power though, and even the entry-level P12500D provides a healthy 12,500mAh capacity -- compared to 1,960mAh for Apple's iPhone 7.

The P12500D is available in either black or white, and also includes two USB ports for charging two separate devices, and there's a handy little digital display that shows the precise percentage of battery life remaining. And if you need a bit more power there's a P20000D model that provides 20,000mAh capacity for a very competitive £19.

Belkin ColourMatch Charge Kit + Cable

Belkin's ColourMatch Charge Kit is a good all-round option for when you're travelling with your mobile devices. As well as a 6600mAh battery pack, the kit also includes a car charger and a compact mains adapter, which means you can charge everything up when you reach your office or hotel room.

The ColourMatch kit is sold with an Apple Lightning cable (and the entire kit is available in a variety of colours to match the current iPhone range), but the battery pack also includes two standard USB ports so you can charge up most non-Apple phones and tablets as well.

Cobra Jumpack CPP8000

The Cobra Jumpack CPP8000 is a bit on the chunky side -- and its name is slightly misleading as it only provides 6,000mAh capacity, rather than the 8,000mAh you might expect.

However, the CPP8000 could be a real life-saver in an emergency, as its peak 360-amp output is enough to jump-start a stalled car. It even includes a set of jump leads, along with a car-charger so you can top it up while you're driving. And, yes, it can charge a smartphone too, with a standard USB port that delivers a more modest 2.4-amp output for mobile devices.

Cygnett ChargeUp Sport

Cygnett's ChargeUp Digital provides up to 10,000mAh capacity for long trips, or larger devices such as tablets. However, Cygnett also makes the pocket-sized ChargeUp Sport for those occasions when you just need to top up your smartphone at the end of a long day.

Available in a variety of colours, the ChargeUp Sport measures just 90mm by 44mm by 22mm, so it's only a little larger than a cigarette lighter and will easily slip into a pocket or bag when you're on the move. The battery just has a single USB charging port, and its 4,400mAh capacity is relatively modest, but it'll still give most smartphones at least one full charge and keep you going until you get home.

Griffin Survivor

If you work outdoors, or like to spend your holidays hiking around the countryside, then you might want to opt for a properly rugged battery pack such as the Griffin Survivor.

Designed to meet Military Standard 810G, the Survivor can withstand a 3-metre drop onto concrete and other hard surfaces, and provides IP66 protection against water, dirt and dust ingress. There's also a built-in torch, which is not spectacularly bright, but might come in handy in an emergency. And, of course, it provides plenty of power for your mobile devices, with 10,050mAh capacity, and a USB charging port that's protected by a self-sealing rubber flap.

Knomo Battery Power Pack 5000

Knomo always does things with style, and even its battery packs have an extra touch of class. the company recently introduced a new version of its Power Pack battery with 5000mAh capacity, which should be enough for two complete charges of most phones.

The Battery Power Pack 5000 has a smart, sturdy aluminium case, and also comes with a faux leather wallet for extra protection when you're on the move. There's a Micro-USB cable provided with the battery, but it has a standard USB port that will work with most mobile devices. There's also a model with 10,000mAh capacity, priced at £59, if you need a little extra juice for a tablet or phablet.

Mophie Powerstation Plus XL

Mophie is king of the battery packs, with enough products in its range to fill this entire article all by itself. However, its new Powerstation Plus XL is a powerful and compact battery that will work with a wide range of devices.

The battery measures just 17mm thick, so you can easily slip it into a bag when you're travelling, and its 12,000mAh battery will be enough to recharge most phones several times over. There's a fixed cable that includes adapters for both Apple's Lightning connector and devices that use Micro-USB; there's also a separate USB port that will let you charge a second device at the same time.

Nomad Advanced Trackable PowerPack

Nomad makes a really smart battery that comes with a leather wallet and Lightning cable for Apple's iOS devices. But, for more general use, we also like the look of its new Advanced Trackable PowerPack, which ships in November.

The battery itself provides 9,000mAh capacity, which will be enough to charge most smartphones 2-3 times, and even to provide a full charge for some larger tablets too. The sturdy case is designed to be drop- and shock-resistant for outdoor use, and includes both USB-A and USB-C ports for charging your devices. It even has built-in support for the Tile Bluetooth tracking system so you'll always be able to find it when you're in a hurry.

Samsung Fast Charge Battery Pack

It might be tempting fate to recommend buying a Samsung battery, given recent events, but its Fast Charge Battery Pack is neatly designed and will work with a wide range of devices.

The 5200mAh battery is available in a variety of colours, and measures a pocket-friendly 11m thick. If you have a Samsung smartphone that supports the Fast Charge feature, then Samsung says you'll be able to charge your phone up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes. However, it uses a standard USB port for charging, so it will also work with most non-Samsung devices that charge via USB as well.

Techlink Recharge Ultrathin

Techlink makes a variety of battery packs for Apple devices, including a really smart one for the Apple Watch. However, its Recharge Ultrathin batteries are available in two versions, with either a Lightning connector for iOS devices, or Micro-USB for everyone else.

The USB versions of the Ultrathin cost £39.99 with 3,000mAh capacity, or £49.99 for the 5,000mAh model, while the Lightning versions cost an extra £10 each. The battery case is made out of sturdy aluminium, and measures just 7mm or 9mm thick, depending in the capacity you choose, so it'll be easy to pack into a bag when you're travelling. There's also a rubber, non-slip coating on the back of the battery to help to keep it safe when you're charging your phone.

A simple external battery pack can be a real life-saver when you're running out of juice, so here's our guide to the best battery packs that are compatible with a wide range of smartphones and tablets.

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Adata P12500D Power Bank

With prices starting at just £12, Adata's Power Bank range is one of the most affordable options for topping up your mobile phone and other devices. They don't skimp on either features or battery power though, and even the entry-level P12500D provides a healthy 12,500mAh capacity -- compared to 1,960mAh for Apple's iPhone 7.

The P12500D is available in either black or white, and also includes two USB ports for charging two separate devices, and there's a handy little digital display that shows the precise percentage of battery life remaining. And if you need a bit more power there's a P20000D model that provides 20,000mAh capacity for a very competitive £19.